Lexical Summary qinnamon: Cinnamon Original Word: קִנָּמוֹן Strong's Exhaustive Concordance cinnamon From an unused root (meaning to erect); cinnamon bark (as in upright rolls) -- cinnamon. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originprobably of foreign origin Definition cinnamon NASB Translation cinnamon (3). Brown-Driver-Briggs קִנָּמוֺן noun masculine cinnamon (probably foreign word, coming with the thing from remote East, compare M'Lean-ThDyerEncy Bib. under the word; compare with Malay kainamanis by RöThes. Add. 111, k¹yü m¹nIs LewyFremdw. 37, but only k¹yu, wood, given by ScottMal. Words in Eng. JAOS xviii, {1896,1897}; Greek κιννάμων from Hebrew (against Lag BN 199)); — fragment bark used as spice: absolute ׳ק Proverbs 7:17; Songs 4:14; construct קִנְּמָןבֶּֿשֶׂם Exodus 30:23(P) cinnamon of sweet odour. — See also Houghton-TrSmith D B under the word PostHastings DB under the word קנן (√ of following; meaning? Late Hebrew קֵן nest, Assyrian ‡innu, kannu, nest, family; Aramaic קִנָּא Topical Lexicon Botanical Identity and Trade Context Cinnamon is the fragrant inner bark of evergreen trees native to South and Southeast Asia, prized for its warm, sweet aroma. By the time of Moses, caravans had already linked the Indian Ocean with the Near East, making cinnamon one of the costliest imports to reach Egypt and Canaan. Its rarity explains why Scripture lists it among the choicest commodities alongside gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Scriptural Occurrences Exodus 30:23 records cinnamon as a principal ingredient in the holy anointing oil: “Take the finest spices: twelve and a half pounds of liquid myrrh, half that amount of fragrant cinnamon, two hundred and fifty shekels of aromatic cane”. Proverbs 7:17 presents it as a perfume used to entice: “I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon”. Song of Songs 4:14 names it among the luxuriant garden spices that describe the bride’s beauty: “nard and saffron, calamus and cinnamon, with every kind of incense tree”. Together these passages show cinnamon’s association with worship, wisdom teaching, and covenant love. Liturgical and Typological Significance In the anointing oil, cinnamon contributed both sweetness and preservative power. The sacred mixture sanctified the tabernacle vessels and the priests, setting them apart for God alone. The fragrant aroma rising from consecrated objects typifies the pleasing sacrifice of Jesus Christ, “a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God” (Ephesians 5:2). The costly import also prefigures the lavish grace poured out by the Spirit, who anoints believers for priestly service (1 Peter 2:9). Symbolism in Wisdom Literature Proverbs 7 contrasts godly wisdom with seductive folly. Cinnamon, here misused to lure the gullible, warns that even good gifts become snares when severed from the fear of the Lord. The spice’s dual appearance—as holy in Exodus and profane in Proverbs—underscores personal responsibility to steward God’s gifts righteously. Poetry of Covenant Love Song of Songs pictures marital love as a spice-laden garden. Cinnamon evokes intimacy that is delightful yet exclusive: “A garden locked is my sister, my bride” (Song of Songs 4:12). The fragrance anticipates the joy of Christ and His Church, whose union is both pure and passionate (Ephesians 5:31-32). Historical Resonance and Prophetic Echoes Ancient writers such as Herodotus and Pliny confirmed cinnamon’s value, sometimes worth fifteen times its weight in silver. Revelation 18:13 lists cinnamon among the luxuries of Babylon that perish under judgment, a sobering reminder that earthly splendor cannot save a city rooted in rebellion. Thus the prophetic canon links the spice trade to divine accountability. Ministry Applications 1. Worship: The Exodus precedent supports the thoughtful use of aromatics—physical elements that engage the senses—in contexts that direct glory to God rather than to human gratification. Summary Cinnamon’s brief but vivid trail through Scripture connects tabernacle worship, moral instruction, and covenant love, while pointing forward to the consummation of all things in Christ. In every context the spice calls God’s people to a life that is both fragrant and set apart. Forms and Transliterations וְקִנְּמָן־ וְקִנָּמ֔וֹן וְקִנָּמֽוֹן׃ וקנמון וקנמון׃ וקנמן־ vekinnaMon vekinnemon wə·qin·nā·mō·wn wə·qin·nə·mān- wəqinnāmōwn wəqinnəmān-Links Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Exodus 30:23 HEB: חֲמֵ֣שׁ מֵא֔וֹת וְקִנְּמָן־ בֶּ֥שֶׂם מַחֲצִית֖וֹ NAS: [shekels], and of fragrant cinnamon half as much, KJV: [shekels], and of sweet cinnamon half INT: five hundred cinnamon fragrant half Proverbs 7:17 Songs 4:14 3 Occurrences |
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nest).